The
Basenji is a breed of dog and a member of the sighthound family.
The Basenji is a Congolese hunting dog that rarely, (if ever)
barks, but does have an odd yodelling sound.Basenjis
are small, elegant-looking, short-haired dogs with erect ears,
tightly curled tail, and graceful neck. Some people equate their
appearance to that of a miniature deer. Their forehead is wrinkled,
especially when young. Eyes are typically almond shaped, which
gives the appearance of squinting with a serious look.

Basenjis
typically weigh around 20 to 24 pounds (9 to 11 kg) and stand
about 17 inches (43 cm) tall at the withers. They are an athletic
dog, and are deceptively powerful for their size. They have
a graceful, confident gait like a trotting horse, and skim the
ground in a "double-suspension gallop" when running flat out
at their considerable top speed. The AKC recognizes the following
colorations: red/white, black/white, tricolor (red/black/white),
and brindle (black stripes on a background of red)/white. There
are additional variations, such as the "trindle", which is a
tricolor and brindle, and several other colorations that remain
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Like
wild canids, Basenjis don't bark. They will, however, give the
occasional single "woof". They will also chortle, whine, squeal,
and make a Basenji-specific noise called a yodel or a baroo.
Also like wild canids, most Basenjis come into season only once
a year, usually in the autumn.

The
Basenji is one of the most ancient dog breeds. Originating on
the continent of Africa, it has been venerated by humans for
thousands of years. Basenjis can be seen on steles in the tombs
of Egyptian pharaohs, sitting at the feet of their masters,
looking just as they do today, with prick ears and tightly curled
tail. The Basenji had almost totally disappeared from the West
when Europeans came across it in the Congo in 1895. There, the
Basenji was prized by locals for its intelligence, courage,
speed, and silence. They were assistants to the hunt, chasing
wild game into nets for their masters. Several attempts were
made to bring the breed to England, but the earliest imports
succumbed to disease. It was not until the 1930s that foundation
stock was successfully established in England, and thence to
the United States.